Data input device for providing theft monitoring function for portable PC

Abstract

Disclosed in the present specification is a data input device for providing a theft monitoring function for a portable PC. A data input device (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention is used to assist a data input function of a portable PC and comprises: a main body part (110) for generating input data for the portable PC; and an access part (150) that is connected to the main body part (110) by wire and accesses an external communication port of the portable PC, wherein the access part (150) includes a coordinate sensing sensor (151) and a USB hub controller (152), and the USB hub controller (152) analyzes a signal of the coordinate sensing sensor (151) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC if it is determined that the portable PC has moved.

Description

Data entry device providing theft monitoring capabilities for portable PCs

[0001] The present invention relates to a data input device that provides a theft monitoring function for a portable PC, and more specifically, to a data input device that recognizes a situation in which a theft of a portable PC has occurred and transmits an alarm sound to the surroundings to protect the portable PC from a theft suspect.

[0002] Recently, the use of portable computers, such as laptops and tablets, has been steadily increasing. Consequently, cases of portable PC theft in public spaces like cafes and libraries are also on the rise. In Denmark, approximately 4,000 laptop thefts are reported annually.

[0003] Portable PC thefts typically occur when a portable PC is left on a table or desk in a public space and the owner is temporarily unavailable. While the owner is away, even if a third party attempts to steal the PC, no one other than the owner is aware of the intent, leaving the PC vulnerable to theft.

[0004] A representative conventional technology for preventing theft of portable PCs is anti-theft software installed on portable PCs. To utilize this technology, the anti-theft software must be running on the portable PC and must be set to surveillance mode before the owner leaves the computer.

[0005] Under these conditions of use, it is virtually impossible to prevent theft by using the software, as it will not work if a third party steals the portable PC after turning off the portable PC or terminating the execution of the software.

[0006] The present invention is an invention derived to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and aims to provide a data input device that provides a theft monitoring function for a portable PC in a manner that does not require dedicated software for theft monitoring and in which a third party cannot recognize the theft monitoring status.

[0007] The present invention provides a data input device (100) used to assist a data input function of a portable PC, comprising a main body part (110) that generates input data for the portable PC, and a connection part (150) that is wired to the main body part (110) and connected to an external communication port of the portable PC, wherein the connection part (150) includes a coordinate detection sensor (151) and a USB hub controller (152), and the USB hub controller (152) analyzes a signal from the coordinate detection sensor (151) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it is determined that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the USB hub controller (152) may include a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (151) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main body part (110).

[0009] In addition, the present invention provides a data input device (200) used to assist a data input function of a portable PC, comprising a main body part (210) that generates input data for the portable PC, and a connection part (250) that is wired to the main body part (210) and connected to an external communication port of the portable PC, wherein the connection part (250) includes a coordinate detection sensor (251), the main body part (210) includes a main circuit (211) and a USB hub controller (212), and the USB hub controller (212) analyzes a signal of the coordinate detection sensor (251) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it is determined that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the USB hub controller (212) may include a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (251) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main circuit (211).

[0011] In addition, the present invention provides a data input device (300) used to assist a data input function of a portable PC, comprising a main body part (310) that generates input data for the portable PC, and a connection part (350) that is wirelessly connected to the main body part (310) and connected to an external communication port of the portable PC, wherein the connection part (350) includes a wireless receiver (351), a coordinate detection sensor (352), and a USB hub controller (353), and the USB hub controller (353) analyzes a signal from the coordinate detection sensor (352) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it is determined that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the USB hub controller (353) may include a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (352) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main body part (310).

[0013] In addition, the present invention provides a data input device (400) used to assist a data input function of a portable PC, comprising a main body part (410) that generates input data for the portable PC, and a connection part (450) that is wirelessly connected to the main body part (410) and connected to an external communication port of the portable PC, wherein the connection part (450) includes a wireless receiving unit (451) and a coordinate detection sensor (452), and the wireless receiving unit (451) analyzes a signal from the coordinate detection sensor (452) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it is determined that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the wireless receiver (451) may include a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (452) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main body part (410).

[0015] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Figures 2 and 3 are drawings showing application examples of a data input device according to the first embodiment.

[0017] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figures 6 and 7 are drawings showing application examples of a data input device according to the third embodiment.

[0020] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022]

[0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are drawings showing application examples of the data input device according to the first embodiment.

[0024] The data input device (100) is an auxiliary device used to assist the data input function of a portable PC.

[0025] Representative examples of portable PCs include laptops and tablet PCs. However, the present invention is not limited to these devices and can be equally applied to other types of portable PCs that users can carry and use.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 1, the data input device (100) includes a main body part (110) and a connection part (150).

[0027] The main body part (110) is a part that generates input data for a portable PC.

[0028] The connection part (150) is a part connected to the external communication port of the portable PC. The connection part (150) is connected to the main body part (110) by wire. The connection part (150) receives data generated by the main body part (110) and transmits it to the portable PC.

[0029] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the data input device (100) can be implemented as a wired mouse. In this case, the main body part (110) is embodied as a mouse body, and the connection part (150) is embodied as a USB terminal connected to the main body part (110) by a cable.

[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the data input device (100) can be implemented as a wired keyboard. In this case, the main body part (110) is embodied as a keyboard body, and the connection part (150) is embodied as a USB terminal connected to the main body part (110) by a cable.

[0031] The data input device (100) of the first embodiment is not limited to a wired mouse or a wired keyboard, and may be implemented as other types of devices composed of a main body part that generates input data and a connection part wired thereto.

[0032] Referring again to FIG. 1, the connection part (150) includes a coordinate detection sensor (151) and a USB Hub controller (152).

[0033] The coordinate detection sensor (151) is a sensor for detecting the movement of a portable PC. For example, the coordinate detection sensor (151) may be equipped with a gyro sensor.

[0034] The USB Hub controller (152) is connected by wire to the main body part (110) and the coordinate detection sensor (151), respectively.

[0035] The USB Hub controller (152) has two receiving channels and one transmitting channel. The channel indicated as “USB 1 DP / USB 1 DN” is the first receiving channel, the channel indicated as “USB 2 DP / USB 2 DN” is the second receiving channel, and the channel indicated as “DP / DN” is the transmitting channel.

[0036] The USB Hub controller (152) receives data from the coordinate detection sensor (151) through the first receiving channel and receives data from the main body part (110) through the second receiving channel. Then, the USB Hub controller (152) transmits data to a portable PC through the transmitting channel.

[0037] When vibration or shock is applied to the portable PC or it is moved by someone, the position of the portable PC changes, and the change in position is detected by the coordinate detection sensor (151) built into the connection part (150).

[0038] A signal detected by the coordinate detection sensor (151) is transmitted to the USB Hub controller (152) through the first receiving channel, and the USB Hub controller (152) analyzes the signal transmitted from the coordinate detection sensor (151) to determine whether a change in the position of the portable PC has occurred.

[0039] When it is determined that a change in the position of the portable PC has occurred, the USB Hub controller (152) transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC, and upon receiving this, the portable PC transmits a loud alarm sound.

[0040] Therefore, if a third party touches or moves the portable PC with the intention of stealing it while the owner is away from the PC for a while, a loud alarm sound will be emitted from the portable PC, which can prevent theft of the portable PC.

[0041] If a suspect in theft detaches the connection part (150) from the portable PC, the alarm sound transmission function will not work. However, since the connection part (150) of the present invention is embodied as a USB terminal attached to an input device such as a wired mouse or a wired keyboard, it is no different in appearance from a typical USB terminal. Therefore, since the connection part (150) of the present invention appears to be a typical USB terminal, it is difficult for a suspect in theft to think of detaching the connection part (150) from the portable PC to block the alarm sound transmission. In this way, although the connection part (150) of the present invention has a built-in coordinate detection sensor (151) for theft monitoring, it is difficult for a suspect in theft to notice its existence. In this sense, the coordinate detection sensor (151) secretly built into the connection part (150) with the appearance of a typical USB terminal can be viewed as a configuration that acts like a spy.

[0042] As described above, the USB Hub controller (152) has two receiving channels, so that it receives data from the coordinate detection sensor (151) through the first receiving channel and data from the main body part (110) through the second receiving channel.

[0043] In this way, since the data of the coordinate detection sensor (151) and the data of the main body part (110) are transmitted to the USB Hub controller (152) through separate channels, a “data jam” phenomenon in which the two data collide with each other during the transmission process does not occur.

[0044] If the data of the coordinate detection sensor (151) and the data of the main body part (110) are transmitted to the USB Hub controller (152) through a single common channel, the transmission of one of the two data is blocked because the two data cannot be transmitted to the USB Hub controller (152) at the same time. Therefore, there may be cases where the data of the coordinate detection sensor (151) cannot be transmitted to the USB Hub controller (152) due to interference with the data of the main body part (110). In this case, the coordinate detection sensor (151) for theft monitoring cannot function normally.

[0045] On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, since a receiving channel for the coordinate detection sensor (151) is separately allocated to the USB Hub controller (152), a situation in which the function of the coordinate detection sensor (151) is disrupted due to data collision does not occur.

[0046]

[0047] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Like the data input device (100) of the first embodiment, the data input device (200) of the second embodiment also includes a main body part (210) and a connection part (250), and can be implemented as an input device such as a wired mouse or wired keyboard.

[0049] When the data input device (200) is a wired mouse, the main body part (200) is embodied as a mouse body, and the connection part (250) is embodied as a USB terminal connected to the mouse body by a cable. When the data input device (200) is a wired keyboard, the main body part (210) is embodied as a keyboard body, and the connection part (250) is embodied as a USB terminal connected to the keyboard body by a cable.

[0050] In the second embodiment, the main body part (210) includes a main circuit (211) and a USB hub controller (212), and the connection part (250) includes a coordinate detection sensor (251). Here, the main circuit (211) is an electronic circuit related to the basic function of the main body part (210), i.e., generation of input data.

[0051] Compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment differs in that the USB Hub controller (212) is provided in the main body part (210).

[0052] However, in terms of functionality, the USB Hub controller (212) according to the second embodiment is almost identical to the USB Hub controller (152) according to the first embodiment. This will be explained as follows.

[0053] The USB Hub controller (212) has a first receiving channel indicated as “USB 1 DP / USB 1 DN”, a second receiving channel indicated as “USB 2 DP / USB 2 DN”, and a transmitting channel indicated as “DP / DN”. The USB Hub controller (212) receives data from the coordinate detection sensor (251) through the first receiving channel, receives data from the main circuit (211) through the second receiving channel, and transmits data to the portable PC through the transmitting channel.

[0054] The USB Hub controller (212) analyzes the signal transmitted from the coordinate detection sensor (152), and if it is determined based on the analysis that a change in the position of the portable PC has occurred, it transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC, and upon receiving this, the portable PC immediately transmits an alarm sound to prevent theft.

[0055] In the data input device (200) of the second embodiment, since a separate receiving channel for the coordinate detection sensor (251) is allocated to the USB Hub controller (212), the coordinate detection sensor (251) does not malfunction due to data collision.

[0056] Meanwhile, unlike the first embodiment where both the coordinate detection sensor (151) and the USB Hub controller (152) are provided in the connection part (152), in the second embodiment only the coordinate detection sensor (251) is provided in the connection part (250). Therefore, in the second embodiment, it is possible to design the connection part (250) to be smaller in size.

[0057]

[0058] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are drawings showing application examples of the data input device according to the third embodiment.

[0059] The data input device (300) is an auxiliary device used to assist the data input function of a portable PC.

[0060] Representative examples of portable PCs include laptop PCs and tablet PCs. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and can be equally applied to other types of portable PCs.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 5, the data input device (300) includes a main body part (310) and a connection part (350).

[0062] The main body part (310) is a part that generates input data for a portable PC.

[0063] The connection part (350) is a part connected to the external communication port of the portable PC. The connection part (350) is wirelessly connected to the main body part (310). The connection part (350) receives data generated by the main body part (310) and transmits it to the portable PC.

[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the data input device (300) may be implemented as a wireless mouse corresponding to the main body part (310) and a USB dongle corresponding to the connection part (350). Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the data input device (300) may be implemented as a wireless keyboard corresponding to the main body part (310) and a USB dongle corresponding to the connection part (350).

[0065] Referring again to FIG. 5, the connection part (350) includes a wireless receiver (351), a coordinate detection sensor (352), and a USB Hub controller (353).

[0066] The wireless receiver (351) receives input data generated in the main body part (310) via wireless communication and transmits it to the USB Hub controller (353).

[0067] The coordinate detection sensor (352) is a sensor for detecting the movement of a portable PC. For example, the coordinate detection sensor (352) may be equipped with a gyro sensor.

[0068] The USB Hub controller (353) is connected to the wireless receiver (351) and the coordinate detection sensor (352) by wire.

[0069] The USB Hub controller (353) has two receiving channels and one transmitting channel. The channel marked “USB 1 DP / USB 1 DN” is the first receiving channel, the channel marked “USB 2 DP / USB 2 DN” is the second receiving channel, and the channel marked “DP / DN” is the transmitting channel.

[0070] The USB Hub controller (353) receives data from the coordinate detection sensor (352) through the first receiving channel and receives data from the main body part (310) through the second receiving channel. Then, the USB Hub controller (353) transmits data to the portable PC through the transmitting channel.

[0071] The functions of the coordinate detection sensor (352) and the USB Hub controller (353) are as described in the previous embodiments. That is, when movement (change in position) of the portable PC is detected by the coordinate detection sensor (352), the USB Hub controller (353) transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC, and upon receiving this, the portable PC transmits an alarm sound to prevent theft.

[0072] The connection part (350) of the present invention has the same appearance as that of a typical USB dongle. Therefore, since the connection part (350) of the present invention appears to be a typical USB terminal, it is difficult for a suspect in theft to think of disconnecting the connection part (350) from the portable PC to block the alarm sound transmission in advance. In this way, although the connection part (350) of the present invention has a built-in coordinate detection sensor (352) for theft monitoring, it is difficult for a suspect in theft to notice its existence. In this sense, the coordinate detection sensor (352) secretly built into the connection part (350) with the appearance of a typical USB dongle can be viewed as a configuration that acts like a spy.

[0073] As described above, the USB Hub controller (353) has two receiving channels, so that it receives data from the coordinate detection sensor (352) through the first receiving channel and data from the main body part (310) through the second receiving channel. In this way, since a separate receiving channel for the coordinate detection sensor (352) is allocated to the USB Hub controller (353), the coordinate detection sensor (352) does not malfunction due to data collision.

[0074]

[0075] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a data input device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0076] Like the data input device (300) of the third embodiment, the data input device (400) of the fourth embodiment also includes a main body part (410) and a connection part (450). In addition, like the data input device (300) of the third embodiment, the data input device (400) of the fourth embodiment may be implemented with a wireless mouse corresponding to the main body part (410) and a USB dongle corresponding to the connection part (450), or with a wireless keyboard corresponding to the main body part (410) and a USB dongle corresponding to the connection part (450).

[0077] In the fourth embodiment, the connection part (450) includes a wireless receiver (451) and a coordinate detection sensor (452).

[0078] The wireless receiver (451) receives input data generated from the main body part (410) via wireless communication. In addition, the wireless receiver (451) also performs the function of the HSB Hub controller described above. That is, the wireless receiver (451) receives data from the coordinate detection sensor (452), analyzes it, and if it determines that movement has occurred in the portable PC, it transmits an alarm sound signal to the portable PC for theft prevention.

[0079] In the case of the fourth embodiment, the connection part (450) has a structure in which the wireless receiver (451) performs the function of the HSB Hub controller in an integrated manner, and therefore can be manufactured in a smaller size compared to the connection part (350) of the third embodiment.

[0080] A separate channel is allocated to the wireless receiver (451) to receive data from the coordinate detection sensor (452). Therefore, as in the previous embodiments, the coordinate detection sensor (452) does not malfunction due to data collision.

Claims

1. A data input device (100) used to assist the data input function of a portable PC, It includes a main body part (110) that generates input data for the above portable PC and a connection part (150) that is wired and connected to the main body part (110) and connected to an external communication port of the above portable PC. The above connection part (150) includes a coordinate detection sensor (151) and a USB hub controller (152). The above USB hub controller (152) is a data input device that analyzes the signal of the coordinate detection sensor (151) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it determines that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

2. In claim 1, The above USB hub controller (152) is a data input device including a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (151) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main body part (110).

3. A data input device (200) used to assist the data input function of a portable PC, It includes a main body part (210) that generates input data for the above portable PC and a connection part (250) that is wired to the main body part (210) and connected to an external communication port of the above portable PC. The above connection part (250) includes a coordinate detection sensor (251), and the above body part (210) includes a main circuit (211) and a USB hub controller (212). The above USB hub controller (212) is a data input device that analyzes the signal of the coordinate detection sensor (251) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it determines that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

4. In claim 3, The above USB hub controller (212) is a data input device including a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (251) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main circuit (211).

5. A data input device (300) used to assist the data input function of a portable PC, It includes a main body part (310) that generates input data for the above portable PC and a connection part (350) that is wirelessly connected to the main body part (310) and connected to an external communication port of the above portable PC. The above connection part (350) includes a wireless receiver (351), a coordinate detection sensor (352), and a USB hub controller (353). The above USB hub controller (353) is a data input device that analyzes the signal of the coordinate detection sensor (352) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it determines that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

6. In claim 5, The above USB hub controller (353) is a data input device including a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (352) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main body part (310).

7. A data input device (400) used to assist the data input function of a portable PC, It includes a main body part (410) that generates input data for the above portable PC and a connection part (450) that is wirelessly connected to the main body part (410) and connected to an external communication port of the above portable PC. The above connection part (450) includes a wireless receiver (451) and a coordinate detection sensor (452). The above wireless receiver (451) is a data input device that analyzes the signal of the coordinate detection sensor (452) and transmits an alarm sound transmission signal to the portable PC when it is determined that movement has occurred in the portable PC.

8. In claim 7, The above wireless receiver (451) is a data input device including a first receiving channel for receiving data of the coordinate detection sensor (452) and a second receiving channel for receiving data of the main body part (410).

Images